Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis) LUNA ROSSA®

Kiwi (Chinese Gooseberry) - Variety 'Luna Rossa®'

'Luna Rossa®' (translated as Red Moon) represents a true exotic novelty and a premium variety in the world of kiwis. It is a visual and culinary gem that immediately catches the eye with its bicolor flesh – a ruby-red center on a golden-yellow background.

Chinese Gooseberry 'Luna Rossa®'

It combines stunning aesthetics with an exceptionally sweet, tropical taste. It is an ideal choice for demanding gardeners and lovers of rare fruit who want to grow something truly exceptional.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Stunning visual appearance of the flesh (red-yellow starburst).
• Excellent, very sweet, and tropical taste (without sharp acidity).
• Smooth skin.
• Earlier ripening compared to green kiwis.
• High exclusivity and collector's value.

Origin and Breeding

• Botanical classification: Chinese gooseberry (Actinidia chinensis). Unlike common green kiwis (A. deliciosa), varieties of this species have smoother skin and a different flavor profile.
• Classification: Belongs to the modern group of red-yellow (bicolor) kiwi varieties, which are currently the biggest trend in fruit growing.
• Registration: It is a protected, licensed variety.

Detailed variety description: Plant and Pollination

• Vigor: Strong and vigorous (typical for actinidias). It is a climbing liana that strictly requires a firm support (pergola, trellis, or solid structure).
• Foliage: Leaves are large, heart-shaped, and slightly downy on the underside.
• Pollination: Kiwi is a dioecious plant. The 'Luna Rossa®' variety is a female (fruit-bearing) plant. For fruit production, it strictly requires the presence of a male plant (pollinator) of the same species (Actinidia chinensis) that blooms at the same time. One male usually pollinates 3 to 5 females.

Fruits

• Size and shape: Medium-sized, oval shape.
• Skin: Smooth, without pronounced fuzz (typical trait of A. chinensis), often with a gentle bronze tint. Can be consumed with the skin.
• Flesh (Unique feature): Magnificent bicolor. The base color of the flesh is golden-yellow, with a prominent ruby-red radial pattern forming in the center (around the seeds).
• Taste and aroma: Exceptionally sweet and exotic. The flavor profile is distinctly tropical, often reminiscent of a mix of berries (strawberries, raspberries) and mango, with a much lower acid content compared to classic green kiwis.

Cultivation properties and characteristics

• Phenology:
  • Ripening: Red and yellow kiwi varieties generally ripen earlier than classic green varieties (often during September to October, depending on location).
• Resistance and requirements:
  • Frost resistance: The species Actinidia chinensis is generally less frost-hardy than green kiwi (A. deliciosa). It typically withstands frosts down to -12 °C to -15 °C. In Central European conditions, it requires a sheltered, warm, and sunny location (ideally against a south-facing wall) and thorough winter protection of the trunk in the first years after planting.
  • Spring frosts: Due to earlier bud break, it is very sensitive to damage from late spring frosts.
  • Soil and moisture: Requires moderately acidic, permeable, humus-rich soil. Highly demanding regarding regular watering (especially in summer), but does not tolerate permanent waterlogging of roots.
  • Agrotechnics (Pruning): Requires regular and professional pruning (similar to grapevines) to maintain shape, allow light penetration, and ensure an abundant crop. Bears fruit on one-year-old shoots growing from two-year-old wood.

Drawbacks of the variety:

• Dioeciousness (strictly requires a male pollinator of the A. chinensis species).
• Lower frost resistance (requires a sheltered location and winter protection).
• High sensitivity to late spring frosts.
• High demands regarding regular pruning, solid support, and sufficient moisture.